Heavy Equipment Foreman / Lead Operator

Heavy Equipment Foreman / Lead Operator

Company: F&P Forestry Services LLC Location: Wasilla, Alaska (Mat-Su Valley and surrounding areas) Reports To: Owners Type: Full-time (seasonal demands typical of Alaska)

Position Summary

F&P Forestry Services LLC is seeking an experienced Heavy Equipment Foreman / Lead Operator to lead field operations for land clearing, site preparation, forestry mulching, and excavation projects across the Mat-Su Valley and beyond.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You will be responsible for running equipment, leading crews, and taking ownership of projects from start to finish.

We are a growing, family-owned, veteran-owned Alaskan company looking for someone who can step in, take control of a job, and get it done right — without constant direction.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and Supervise Crews

• Direct a small team of operators and laborers on job sites
• Assign tasks, monitor performance, and maintain productivity
• Train and mentor crew members while enforcing accountability and safety

Heavy Equipment Operation

• Operate excavators for digging, trenching, grading, foundation prep, and material handling
• Run forestry mulchers for land clearing and underbrush management
• Operate skid steers for grading, material movement, and tight-access work
• Operate bulldozers for clearing, road building, and site leveling
• Utilize attachments such as grapple saws for tree removal

Project Execution

• Execute full-cycle site development, including clearing, grading, drainage, and build-ready pad prep
• Perform runway clearing, right-of-way work, and general excavation
• Ensure jobs are completed efficiently, on schedule, and to spec

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all safety standards and jobsite protocols
• Conduct daily equipment inspections and job hazard awareness
• Maintain clean, organized, and professional job sites
• Follow environmental best practices for Alaskan terrain

Maintenance & Equipment Care

• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs
• Identify and troubleshoot issues to minimize downtime

Quality & Client Communication

• Deliver high-quality work that meets or exceeds expectations
• Communicate progress, challenges, and scope changes with ownership and clients

Technical Expectations

• Read and fully understand civil site plans, elevations, and grading details
• Assist ownership with commercial bidding and project planning
• Execute proper site balancing (cut/fill) to reduce material import/export
• Understand permeable vs. non-permeable soils and how they affect drainage and stability
• Build and maintain proper grade, slope, and drainage (percentages, swales, water flow)
• Carry grade without GPS — must know how to build it right without relying on technology
• Use a transit and grade rod to establish and verify elevations
• Understand the difference between tenths and inches and apply it correctly in the field
• Ensure proper compaction methods and lift requirements
• Understand and assist with septic system installs, including layout, excavation, and frost considerations

Required Qualifications & Experience

• 10 years of heavy equipment operating experience
• 5 years in a leadership or foreman role (or equivalent)
• Strong background in land clearing, forestry mulching, excavation, or site development
• Ability to read plans and execute work accordingly
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability
• Ability to work in Alaskan conditions (mud, cold, remote sites)
• Valid Class A CDL with no restrictions (required)
• Reliable transportation and strong work ethic

Preferred Skills

• Forestry mulching experience
• OSHA, NCCER, or manufacturer certifications (CAT, Deere, FAE, etc.)
• Experience working in remote or off-grid environments
• Mechanical repair experience

What We’re Looking For

We are not looking for someone who just runs equipment.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Takes ownership of jobs
• Understands how to build a site the right way
• Leads from the front
• Solves problems without waiting for direction

If you don’t understand everything listed above, this position is not a fit.

Pay & Benefits

• $40 – $65 per hour depending on experience
• 30-day probationary period
• Salary options available for the right candidate
• Family-owned company that understands the importance of family
• Veteran-owned and operated
• Brand new, top-of-the-line equipment
• Opportunity to run jobs and have real responsibility
• Steady pipeline of work across the Mat-Su Valley

How to Apply

Call or text: (907) 671-9330 Or message us directly to start the conversation.

Pay: $40.00 - $65.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40 - $65